Capital of Flowers, the Shogun's Residence.
"Captain Fukurokuju, why do you look so absent-minded!?"
"Captain!?"
"What's wrong with the captain? Why is he ignoring even us!?"
"·········"
The people in the shogun's residence stared at Fukurokuju in bewilderment, completely unable to understand how he, the captain of the ninja forces...
could look so devastated, as if he had lost his soul. He looked just like he had been possessed!!
Bang--
Feeling as though he had bumped into someone, Fukurokuju was startled. He looked up to see Sukiyaki frowning and sternly questioning him: "Fukurokuju, where are your discipline and vigilance as a ninja!?"
"Are you really capable of serving as captain of the Oniwabanshu!?"
"Lord Sukiyaki!" Fukurokuju immediately knelt and bowed.
Sukiyaki said flatly, "Come inside and talk."
Inside the room.
The other daimyo all looked at Fukurokuju standing behind Sukiyaki, wanting to know whether his investigation into Ares had made any progress.
Sukiyaki questioned him angrily, "Fukurokuju, did your assassination attempt fail!?"
"..." Fukurokuju remained silent for a moment before saying, "Lord Sukiyaki, that Ares... that fellow is a monster!!"
At that, everyone in the room frowned. They were clearly dissatisfied with Fukurokuju's answer.
Sukiyaki barked, "Fukurokuju, what exactly did you discover!?"
"I... I saw that fellow Ares use a gigantic kanabo to unleash Ryuo Haki against his own body... He kept pounding himself with it, and he could even transform into a terrifying, savage beast and control lightning to strike his own body. Once he started training, he wouldn't stop for several hours..."
"He trained for an entire day and night, then two days and two nights..."
As he spoke, an indelible shadow of fear covered Fukurokuju's face. He seemed to be filled with dread toward Ares!!
After hearing Fukurokuju's report.
Everyone was shocked pale, each of them frightened